Dial for instruments



June 24-, 1924. 1,498,985

H. R. VAN DEVENTER DIAL FOR INSTRUMENTS Filed Jpne 27, 1923 2Sheets-Sheet l June 24 1924.

H. R. VAN DEVENTER DIAL FOR INSTRUMENTS Filed June 27, 1925 2Sheets-Sheet 2 8 "a to W /RWM Ja /3%,

Ti? m V Patented dune 2d, 124.

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DIAL FOB INSTRUMENTS.

- Application filed- June 27, 1923. Serial No. 647,999.

as commonly employed on electrical instruments for manually adjustingthe same. Such dials are employed with radio apparatus, particularlyradio receiving sets, for adjusting variometers, variable condensers,rheostats and the like.

In radio apparatus and apparatus for other purposes, it is customary tomount devices such as rheostats or condensers in the rear of a panel ormounting plate, through which the shaft of the device projects. On theouter end of the shaft is placed the combination knob and dial for theurpose of adjusting the device, and indicating by means of suitablegraduations on the dial or adjacent thereto, the adjusted position ofthe device.

It is obvious that in some cases the dial device must rotate from leftto right, while in others it is necessary that the rotation be fromright to left. This has in the past necessitated the manufacture ofdials reading both right and left-handed, which means that a dealer mustcarry in stock many more dials than would be necessary if a single dialwould serve for devices rotating in either direction.

Another dificultyheretofore met with has been to properly secure theknob and dial to the shaft of the device. When set screws or the likeare used for this purpose, the results are unsatisfactory, the screwscausing burrs on the shaft which make adjustment dificult, besidescausing the knobs (usually made of molded material) to split unlessprovided with metallic inserts which 1 are an added expense.

This invention has for its object the provision of a dial adapted foreither right or left-handed rotation.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for clamping thedial and knob' upon a shaft.

Another object is to provide a dial in which the metal parts thereof actas a static shield when the dial is used with electrical as indicated bythe numeral 4. this to be the left-hand side'of the disc,

condensers or the like, and a .still further object is to provide acombination knob and dial in which the attaching screw may be completelysurrounded by insulating ma- Q terial so that it cannot be touched bythe hand, when the knob is grasped.

-A further object is to provide apparatus having a knob, with aseparable front forming a name plate, and a dial also having a separablefront which, by being reversed, adapts the indicia thereon for eitherright or left-hand rotation of the apparatus.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a front view of a combination knob and dial complete exceptthe screw cover or name plate, and arranged for lefthand rotation;

Figure 2 is the same dial as in Figure 1 except arranged for right-handrotation;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the dial of Figure 1, with the screwcover or name plate in place;

Figure 4 is a bottom view of the dial of Figure 1; y

Figure 5 is a front view of the dial of Figure 2 with a modified form ofscrew cover in place;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the dial of Figure 5 and also shows aslightly difierent member preferably made of metal. Upon W the slopingsurface 2 of this member suitable graduations or other indicia as shownin the figures may be embossed or marked in any suitable manner. Themember 1 is further provided with a circular de ression mi in which isplaced the separable out or number disc 3. This disc is provided on oneside with a set of numerals or other indicia Assuming the numbers wouldreadfrom left to right, as shown in Figure 1. On the back of the disc,the numbers would read from ri ht to left as'indicated b the numeral 5,i re 2, thus adaptin rotation. Mem ers 1 and 3 may said to compriseadial having a separable front.

t e disc for ri ht-hand m It will now be observed that by placing disc 3on top of the member 1 that a dial is provided having graduations on itsouter edge and with numerals or other indicia reading either right orleft-handed, as tie-- sired.

The members 1 and 3 being nlaced upon each other as described, a knob 6of suitable insulating material is placed with its central boss 7projecting through the central apertures provided in members 1 and 3,and the locking screw 8 is placed through a hole in the knob as shown,and engages the looking member 9.

The complete assembly may now be placed upon the shaft 10 and securedthereto by tightening screw 8. This pulls the locking member 9 sidewaysupon the shaft, which is tightly gripped. The screw 8holds the assemblyconsisting of knob 6 and the mem bers 1 and 3 together, or if desired,auxiliary screws 11 and 12 ma be used to attach the members 1 and 3 tothe knob 6 independently of the screw 8. Y

The locking member 9 is raised suficiently from the lower surface of themember 1 to prevent pulling the knob and dial assembly sideways byproviding some means, such as the projection 13 which will raise theouter or free end of the lockin member 9 so that the said member, whenin its tightened osition, will tightly grip the shaft 10 atsubstantially right angles thereto.

After the knob and dial have been attached to the shaft 10, it isdesirable to close the opening 14 in the end of the knob. This isaccomplished by providing the screw cover or name plate 15 which may beof metal, celluloid, or any other suitable material, and which is simplypressed into the depression 14 in the knob, as shown in Figure 3. Thename plate 15 may be reversible.

The knob 6 and plate 15 may be said to comprise a knob having aseparable front.

An alternate arrangement is shown in Figures 5 and 6 in which the screwcover 15 consists of a fiat piece of material held in position by meansof the spring ring 16. I consider these methods of covering'the screw 8of importance for it prevents the possibility of the hand making contactwith the screw 8, which is undesirable, and also,

the screw covers may form the name plate and being arranged in themanner shown, a ready means of changing the name plates is providedwhich is of extreme importance to a manufacturer supplying a largenumber of concerns, each of whom desires the dials with their own nameplate. Heretofore it has been necessary to furnish aseparate andcomplete dial for each customer or make up some part of thedial specialin each case, whereas with the arrangement shown, the customers nameplate formed by the member 15 may be put on the dial at any time.

neeeeee In Figure 6 l have shown a modified tion the locking member inrelation to the shaft. By providing the screw 20 as well as the screw 8,the knob 6 may be very securely attached to the dial members land 3which in the case of large and heavy dials and knobs is preferable.

I claim:v

1. Apparatus embodying a knob having a separable front and a dial havinga separable front supported by said dial connected to said knob andsupported thereb 2. Apparatus embodyin a limb and a dial havi aseparable ont, and means securing said knob and dial together.

3. Apparatus embodying a Mob, a dial supported thereby and having aseparable front with indicia on both sides thereof.

4. Apparatus embodying a hob, a dial member secured thereto and havingindicia marked thereon, and a disc ada ted to overlie said dial memberhaving in icia on both sides thereof whereby said ap aratus may beadapted to indicate either rig t or left-hand rotation.

5. Apparatus embodying a ob and a circular disc-like member forming adial having indicia thereon supported by said hob a reversible disc adated to overlie said dial and rovided with lndicia ada ted to cooperatewith said first mentioned in ioia for the pur ose set forth.

6. In com ination, a shaft, a hob, means for securing the knob to theshaft and a reversible name plate mounted upon said knob and concealingsaid securing means.

7. In comblnation, a shaft, a knob and dial mounted thereon and meansada ted to secure said knob and dial together 1n relative osition andattach them to said shaft.

8. ln combination, a shaft, a dial carried thereby, a knob mounted uponsaid shaft,

means carried by said dial for changing the indicia thereon, and commonmeans for secfirifrt g all of the foregoing parts to said s a 9. Incombination, a shaft a knob mounted thereon, a dial having indiciathereon and secured to said knob, means for changin said indicia to readin either direction, an means for securing said knob and dial to saidshaft.

10. In combination, a aft, a mob mounted thereon, a dial having indiciathereon secured to said knob, means for changing said means.

11. In combination, a shaft, a knob mounted thereon, a dial adapted tomove with said knob, an apertured member on said shaft and a screwpassing thro ugh said knob and dial and engaging said member whereby allof said parts are secured to said shaft, substantially as described.

12. A combination knob and dial for instruments embodying a part adaptedto be reversed for the purpose of indicating rotation in eitherdirection. v

- In testimon whereof I afiix my signature.

HAR Y R. VAN DEVENTER.

